Every Other New Year’s Eve: A Magical, Time-Bending Romance

by Michelle Dayton

The point of magic is not to understand it. The point is not to waste it…

Paige Larsen is riding high on her future when she drops into a bar on New Year’s Eve 2019 for a celebratory drink. Will Weber, too, is excited about his life’s direction. Despite clashing personalities—and unexpected physical attraction—they quickly become friends while grooving to 1970s music in this unique joint.

But when Paige and Will each try to find the bar the following day, they realize the night was even more magical than they believed. It seems this bar appears for only a handful of hours every two years in an abandoned city lot on December 31. What’s more, Paige and Will are living in different timelines two years apart.

Over a span of eight years and a multitude of life changes, Paige and Will connect deeply in a fantasy situation that allows them to be their messy, imperfect, vulnerable selves.

Then suddenly, the enchantment—and the bar—disappear for good. Can love offer the magic they need to create a real-life happy ever after?

Every Other New Year’s Eve is a tender, heartwarming romance with a magical twist, perfect for fans of Rebecca Serle and Ashley Poston.

Genres: Romance, Magical Realism

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2025

About the author

There are only three things Michelle Dayton loves more than sexy and suspenseful novels: her family, the city of Chicago, and Mr. Darcy. Michelle dreams of a year of world travel – as long as the trip would include weeks and weeks of beach time. As a bourbon lover and unabashed wine snob, Michelle thinks heaven is discussing a good book over an adult beverage.

Reviews

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is why I accept ARCs by new-to-me authors despite having a huge backlog of other ARCs and library books to get to. Gems like this story that I would have missed out on if the blurb didn’t intrigue me so much. I love the movie The Lake House. That’s what the description reminded me of, so I was optimistic.

While this story has quite a bit of angst, there is also so much hope. Paige and Will meet at a point in their lives that is not conducive to them even entertaining the thought of each other in a romantic sense. Will is freshly engaged to his dream girl, and Paige just had a first date with her dream guy. Yet, as their conversation flows effortlessly and they challenge each other to be more open to other viewpoints on love and relationships, a strong bond is formed. Little do they know, upon that first meeting, that they are sharing a magical night that will only be possible every two years.

The author does such a fantastic job of filling in the blanks of the time between meetings. Partly with showing snippets of days other than New Year’s Eve, when the couple is able to meet. Partly with the conversation between Paige and Will when they are able to be together. The chemistry is always there, but it builds with each meeting, and builds even more during the time they get to spend together.

I don’t want to spoil anything about this story, so I’m not going to get into much more. I appreciated how the author didn’t feel the need to overexplain the magic of Charley’s bar and the mystical New Year’s Eve appearance for certain people. It was enough to know that there was magic involved, and it was fueled by love. There is a lot of character growth for both Paige and Will. Those moments in time spent together, although brief and spread out, spurred that growth and taught them both to appreciate life in a different way.

This was a great end-of-the-year read.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Every Other New Year’s Eve is a tender, thought-provoking romance that blends magic, time, and human connection into something quietly extraordinary.

Michelle Dayton takes a deceptively simple premise—a bar that appears only on New Year’s Eve every two years—and turns it into a deeply emotional exploration of timing, choice, and the lives we grow into. Paige and Will meet as two people standing on the edge of promising futures, and their initial clash of personalities is both refreshing and authentic. The chemistry is subtle but undeniable, rooted more in conversation and vulnerability than instant fireworks.

The time-bending element is handled with elegance. Rather than overwhelming the story, the magic serves as a framework for watching these two characters evolve across eight years. Each meeting feels precious because it’s fleeting, and that scarcity adds weight to every conversation, every confession, every moment of honesty they share inside the bar’s walls.

What truly sets this book apart is its emotional realism. Paige and Will aren’t idealized versions of themselves—they’re messy, uncertain, and shaped by the choices they make when the other isn’t around. The bar becomes a safe space where they can show up exactly as they are, without expectations or pressure, which makes their bond feel intimate and deeply earned.

The question at the heart of the story—whether love alone can bridge gaps in time, timing, and circumstance—lingers long after the final page. When the magic disappears, what remains is the quiet hope that real-life choices can be just as powerful.

Soft, reflective, and beautifully paced, Every Other New Year’s Eve is perfect for readers who love gentle fantasy, emotionally rich romance, and stories about fate, timing, and finding your way back to someone who feels like home. A truly magical start to the Any Time Now series. ✨🥂.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, sweet time travel story. Has everything you need to enjoy and fall in love with all the characters. Each one of them is on an emotional journey that they really needed at this time in their life. Paige has lots of issues with her boyfriend and just happens upon this magical bar. Will also has a fiance , things just don't feel right so he's at the bar for himself and a drink. When they come face to face, not knowing that there is two years apart in their times. They come to the same bar to help forget and not be alone on New Years Eve in another two years. The bar is owned by Charley and has a bartender, Sam. There are others just like themselves who are all there to find some time to be with others that care about them. So every two years they learn more about themselves and try to help the others and just to enjoy the companionship there. Paige and Will try to come into the other's world/lives yet only can make it when when they are out the bar. They need to find a way to come together and get their happily ever after. Would recommend to everyone this absolutely fantastic story. Would recommend to all.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my God. Absolutely AMAZING. 10/10. I’ve read alot of books and have never read a storyline like this. It was absolutely perfect how the story all intertwined and beautifully played out. The last chapter gave me chills.

[Annelise Vandiver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually a super cute book! I love a good happy ending, I was scared for a little bit true love transcends timelines ;) 🩷🩷🩷

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Other New Year’s Eve: A Magical, Time-Bending Romance is the first book in Michelle Dayton’s new series, Any Time Now. This is a lovely romance with a unique time travel premise. The couple that is featured are in two different years. Paige Larsen and Will Weber each find themselves alone on New Year’s Eve in Milwaukee. They both go into a dive bar to get a drink. They start to chat and share about themselves. They meet the bartender and the owner and go downstairs to the bowling alley. The places only plays 70’s music. Will has just gotten engaged and his fiancee has gone to visit her parents. For him it is 2017 and for Paige it is 2019. Will is visiting his mom and brother. Paige has recently graduated from the Design School in Milwaukee and has had a successful date with one of the professors. After midnight, they both decide to go home but to return the next day to share the place with Will’s brother and Paige’s best friend. Sadly, neither one is able to find the bar again.

Two years later on New Year’s Eve they find themselves alone and go to the bar again and both appear. In the past two years Will has had some devastating changes to his life. Paige is also questioning her decisions and is no longer riding a high. The pair discovers they are living in two different years. For Will it is now 2019 and for Paige it is 2021. She has just gone through the whole Covid pandemic and has a mask with her. When she tries to warn Will about what’s coming in his new year, the owner and bartender tell her it isn’t allowed to share about the future. They resume their conversations about their personal lives and go bowling again. They realize they only have the one night up to 3:00 a.m. to be together.

The couple continue to meet every other year for 8 years. Both are very attracted to the other and secretly look for the other in their own year. Each time, the person looking wasn’t pleased with what they discover. As they talk about their lives, their work, their families and any significant others, they develop very strong feelings. As the situation with the bar’s longevity becomes an issue, Paige and Will talk about ideas for their relationship.

Initially I wasn’t sure about reading a book considered as “time travel”. However I am so glad I decided to read it. It was a fabulous story. I was fascinated by the whole set up of the every other year on New Years Eve and how that had originated. The ending was so good. I live in far north suburban Illinois, across the border from Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. I also visit Milwaukee frequently so this story was even more intriguing to read. I’ve read several books by Michelle Dayton and I’ve enjoyed them all! This is another winning book that I am happy to have read and I highly recommend it. It is another 5 star book!

I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Happily Ever After Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance

Every Other New Year’s Eve begins the delightful time-slip/time-bending series, Any Time Now. This one caught me off-guard with a slightly different spin on the time travel trope (which I loved, by the way), and a couple that I really wanted to find their way to each other in their “real life”.

Charley’s Bar is a magical place… literally. It only appears to those who need it, and only every two years (every other year) on New Year’s Eve. This night, Paige wandered in looking for a quick drink, alone, in a good, upbeat mood. Will has also stopped in for a drink since the girl he loves and has recently become engaged to is visiting with her parents, and he’s alone on this last night of the year. He strikes up a conversation with another person in the bar, feeling an uneasy attraction to her, but also finds their time together talking over every aspect of their lives, their opinions, and their dreams to be utterly charming. After the clock strikes midnight, and they wrap up their time together, they vow to meet up later today (Jan. 1) to show others the great “dive” they found… only, Charley’s Bar isn’t there. And for one person the year is 2017… and for the other it’s 2019. What the heck?!?

I loved every aspect of Every Other New Year’s Eve by Michelle Dayton. The story itself is intriguing, and kept me flipping pages as I was shown Paige’s and Will’s lives throughout the years. The good, the bad, and the very ugly. But through it all was their connection, their feeling of rightness with each other… if they could only get in the same time period. I adored the secondary characters, and I’m crossing fingers and toes that they’ll also get their happy ending further on in the series.

Pagie and Will’s story is well-written, thought-provoking, emotional, and cute, with both laughter and tears along the way. I enjoyed every moment in their world, and I cannot wait to return. If you enjoy a time-travel trope romance with believable characters (in spite of the situation) and discovering a magical bar called Charley’s… then have I got a good book for you!

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Fiona Marsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I read this I immediately had to go and read The Lake House with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
If you are a fan of The Lake House, which I am, or One Day, which I'm not (see my views on needing a HEA) this might be just your cup of tea.
We meet Paige and Will at their first New Years Eve when they are both at a significant moment in their lives. Paige has just met THE ONE, and Will is freshly engaged. Paige is a local and Will is visiting family when they both stumble into a retro bar on a snowy New Years Eve.
They have a connection, but they are absorbed in their "real" life. They meet the owner of the bar, the bartender and a couple of other "regulars".
It's a little odd but they aren't really paying that much attention. Until they decide to meet again and the bar isn't there.
The bar is a character of its own in this story, the setting for New Years Eve meetings of Paige and Will and the other assorted couples. But only every second year. Thus the title.
It was kind of odd reading this story as I had written a story with a similar time hopping setting several years ago but with vampires. As you do.
The time hopping was well done and I think I found that aspect of the story and the story of the bartender and owner the most intriguing.
It was lovely to see Will and Paige get to know each other and to grow in their "real" lives over the years. The ending was very satisfying.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

This is book one in the Any Time Now series.

Winter in Milwaukee can be brutal. When Paige Larson finds herself turned around and uncertain of her location on her way home on New Year’s Eve, she slips into a bar to warm up. There, she meets Will Weber, a financial specialist. The two hit it off, and an instant friendship sparks. What they both discover is that the bar is only a reality on New Year’s Eve every other year, and it hosts people from different periods in time. How? Magic!

This book takes place between 1978 and 2027 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s a fantasy. While there’s an aspect of time involved, I’m not sure that calling it time travel would be accurate. To me, this tale was a lovely combination of Same Time Next Year and Oona Out of Order.

Between the pages of this novel, you’ll find people who aren’t accepted for who they are, but also those being accepted for exactly who they are. There are manipulative partners and infidelity, even a bit of betrayal. Most of all, there’s true love that is victorious in the end despite serious roadblocks in its path.

I enjoyed this book, and I recommend it.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, Tule. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinion in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ rounded up

Every Other New Year’s Eve was such a lovely, quietly magical read. Will and Paige each stumble into a mysterious bar on New Year’s Eve, not realizing they’re stepping into the beginning of a love story that only gets one night every two years. Add in the twist that they’re living two years apart, and it becomes a bittersweet, deeply romantic setup that really worked for me.

I loved reading about their “every other year” meetups. Catching up on life, sharing what’s changed, and slowly falling for each other in this strange little pocket of time. Their connection felt natural and earned.

The found family vibe of the bar itself gave such cozy vibes. The other patrons, all living their own every-other-year stories, added warmth and depth. It made the bar feel like a safe, magical space where people could be fully themselves, even if only for one night.

We also get glimpses of Will and Paige’s lives in between, which helped explain why they can’t just make it work in the real world (though I was absolutely shouting the solution by the second NYE). The emotional payoff was worth it. The ending was sweet, satisfying, and definitely brought on a few tears.

This is a tender, heartwarming romance with a soft magical twist—perfect if you’re in the mood for something emotional, hopeful, and quietly enchanting.

[Lily Cloud · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great end-of-the-year read. I wasn’t totally sure what to expect going in but I’m really glad I gave this one a chance.

The story centers around Paige and Will, who meet by chance in a bar on New Year’s Eve. What starts as a fun, slightly awkward connection slowly turns into something much deeper when they realize the bar itself is magical and only appears every two years and that they’re living two years apart in time. From there, the story unfolds across eight years in short but meaningful moments they share together.

One thing I really appreciated was how the author didn’t overexplain the magic. The bar just is, and that simplicity works beautifully. The focus stays where it should be on Paige and Will, their growth, and the way those brief meetings shape who they become. Every reunion feels special because time with each other is so limited, which makes their conversations and emotional moments hit harder.

Overall, this is a well-written, sweet, and emotionally grounded story with a unique time-bending twist. If you like character-driven romances with a touch of magic and a lot of heart, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A couple meets in a bar on New Year's Eve. Except for each one, it's a different year. The next day the bar is gone. In fact, it only appears every other year - and only for certain people.

Paige and Will meet and are strangely attracted to one another. The bartender knows exactly what Paige wants to drink, even though Paige doesn't even know what the drink is. Three hours after midnight, the bar disappears and the people who were there, disappear and go back to their regular lives. Somehow Paige and Will go to the same bar on New Year's Eve 2 years later and continue their relationship.

However, 2 years is a long time to live without seeing each other and their lives continue. Each would like to see the other and have a real relationship, but the time thing interferes, and so does life. They develop new relationships, revisit where life has taken each one.

It was a bit of a mind bender to figure out what was going on in the story. But it was interesting and kept me curious for the next meeting. I had tears in my eyes at the conclusion. Well done Michelle Dayton, well done.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow! Be prepared to have your heart stolen, because this book is pure magic from the very first page. If you’re a fan of time-crossed lovers, fated connections, missed moments and second chances, with love that transcends time, then I’ve got one thing to say. Read. This. Book. You won’t just read this book though; you’ll live it!

In Every Other New Year's Eve, Paige Larsen and Will Weber meet in a magical bar that appears only every two years, forcing them to build a relationship in different timelines across a span of eight years. Their connection is immediate and profound, but the barriers of time make a future together seemingly impossible. Paige and Will undergo a variety of life changes over the years including bad relationships, career changes, and family drama but their connection allows them to be their messy, imperfect, vulnerable selves while inside Charley’s bar. The romance between them is beautifully developed and focuses more on the emotional depth rather than just the physical attraction which makes the ending so much sweeter. I found myself rooting for Paige and Will with every page, my heart breaking and swelling in equal measures. In fact, I was rooting for the secondary characters in this one too. Charley and Sam and Sylvia and Evelyn also had a piece of my heart, and I wanted happily ever afters for them too. And boy oh boy, the time magic really hurt my brain but in the best way possible.

This was my very first Michelle Dayton book, but it won’t be my last. I plan to check out her backlist since I enjoyed this one so much. This story is well written in 3rd person, dual POV. And while 3rd person isn’t my favorite, I loved this so much and was so mesmerized by the author’s writing that I didn’t even care. The writing has emotional depth and is both heartwarming and heart wrenching at times. At one point I was so into the story and my heart was pounding so hard that I thought it was going to come apart just like the magical enchantment. And Charley’s comes alive on the page, making it feel more like a character than just a backdrop for the story.

I can’t say enough good things about this book. The story is captivating, the characters are well-developed, and the pacing and timeline are unique making it a truly standout read. Hands down a five-star read for me and among my favorites for the year.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Other New Year’s Eve by Michelle Dayton

Every Other New Year’s Eve is a fantastic start to a brand-new series from Michelle Dayton. The story kicks off on New Year’s Eve, when two strangers—Paige and Will—share an unforgettable night together. But the next day, everything changes: the bar where they met has vanished, and even stranger, Paige and Will realise they’re actually living two years apart.

This book grabbed my attention from the very first chapter. The writing is smooth and engaging, and the blend of intrigue, time travel, and romantic chemistry makes it impossible to put down. Dayton builds a storyline that’s equal parts mysterious and heartfelt, creating a world that’s easy to fall into and characters you can’t help rooting for.

A captivating mix of romance and twisty time-bending surprises, Every Other New Year’s Eve is a must-read. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for something fresh, fun, and absorbing.

[Debra M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The point of magic is not to understand it, but not waste it. This book really spoke to me, saying read me. I believe in Destiny , when I was young at the age of 9 years old I knew I wanted to marry a boy named Charlie . Years later I did meet and married a man named Charles just not the version I had in my mind. If it's meant to be ,then it will work out .The same goes for Will & Paige , every 2 years they meet up at Sam & Charley's place on New years Eve ,then they leave and go about their lives & remembering those lingering hrs until the next time they meet up .If you have a good thing going , don't louse it up , persevere it , real love only comes around once in your life, don't waste it. As the saying goes We only have 1 life , make it a good one.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always felt NYE was a magical day. Therefore, I love that this captivating romance occurs on five of these nights in a special bar that only exists on every other NYE(with a jukebox only containing songs from the 70s). Packed with emotion and unique characters each couples story resonated with me and brought me to tears. The "time warp" added an extra and depth to the story. Will's and Paige's partners in real time are selfish and controlling-you can't help hoping they find true love! This is certainly a unique romance that will stay in my heart for awhile. I highly recommend settling in with a club soda or an orange cocktail and get lost in this enchanting book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kathleen J Hempel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling love story in unpredictable circumstances makes great reading.

Finding love and learning whether you might want to make a long term commitment to someone is always complicated. In this compelling love story everything is even more challenging because of different points in time and long periods between spending time together. But in this latest story by Michelle Dayton the characters are genuine and sympathetic. We want them to be happy but recognize that first they must mature and then find their way through the extraordinary unpredictability of the changing and mysterious place in which they continue to find each other. Extremely entertaining with a rewarding outcome. Perfect holiday reading.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of magical realism and this did not disappoint. Paige and Will meet in a diner on New Year's Eve; both in stages of their lives with major changes on the horizon. They talk, they laugh, they start to fall in love a little. And then they leave and the diner ceases to exist for another two years. On and on it goes while they grow in different ways, their lives take different turns than they expected, they still meet in the diner on New Year's Eve.
But of course there's a catch. And therein lies the magic.
Great concept, great execution, and a great reminder that true love can be found in the most unlikely of places or times.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC in exchange for an honest review

We follow Paige and Will. Paige stumbles upon a magical bar on New Years Eve. She strikes up a conversation with Will, another patron of the bar. Will and Paige discover they have a deep connection to one another. Soon they discover that the bar only comes around every other New Year’s Eve. Two years later, they meet up again, and discover they’re on a different time line. We follow along as they both rediscover themselves and what love truly means. This book was beautifully written and deeply emotional.

If you’re a fan of the Time Travelers Wife, I think you’ll enjoy this book!

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding love at a magical bar.

This book is totally different than anything else I have ever read. I laughed, I cried, I cheered on the couples who visited Charley’s, a bar that magically appeared every other New Year’s Eve and reunited couples, from different time realms, for one night only. I really enjoyed learning about Paige and Will and now I am curious about the lives of the other couples in the book. I didn’t want it to end. It put me in a happy place where anything seemed possible.

[Sherri Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is magical, romantic, and so much more. From the first chapter I was pulled into Paige and Will's story. I could not put this book down. I need to know that in the end that they were destined to be together. That they were working towards forever with each other. I do not want to give the story away. I am going to say that this book is different but in an amazing way. You do not want to miss reading it. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paige and Will meet every two years on new year's eve in a bar that doesn't exist in real life, where they live two years apart. In the beginning they are both happy in relationships while being attracted to each other. I could tell both of them were trying to compensate for their childhood and were with self centered people. Despite being drawn back together they find it impossible to be together in real life. I would have liked to read more about the other romances that took place in that bar and my heart hurt for Charley who started it all. This was a steamy paranormal romance.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Every Other New Years Eve by Michelle Dayton is different from the other books I have read by this author, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The first book in the Any Time Now series is a reminisce of The Lake House movie but with Ms. Dayton’s unique spin on the characters and the storyline. A fun New Year Eve romance that must take place over time then a major problem changes everything. Much like life, this fantasy causes us to decide what is important enough to change our lives.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magical New Year's Eve that only takes place every two years. Paige and Will meet by accident at this bar that is only open for a few hours every two years on New Year's Eve and then disappears. There is an instant connection as they share their lives with each other, both in a relationship to begin with but through the years things change. Loved the growth of these two characters along with the secondary characters. This book put a smile on my face. I highly recommend.

[Kathleen Shaputis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Sigh ... how magical

As a fellow author, I tend to read into each page, each character for the thread of love and storyline spreading out from the creator. Trying to envision the storyboards or piles of notes that blended together the twists and turns, angst and happiness into just this book. I know I'm being vague but I wouldn't want to ruin a single moment for a new reader. Loved ths book! What are you waiting for???

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book written by Michelle and let me just say that I am very impressed with how she writes such an engaging, enjoyable and romantic book. This is a must-read romance book that is so magical it will have you cheering and hoping that Paige and Will find each other again.

[Paula Pugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part magic, part reality, full romance. A dreamy novel of time magic possibilities and hopes. The enchanting meetings over New Year’s Eve of Paige and Will will melt your heart and also pain your heart as their romance might never exist outside the mystical Charley’s bar.
Magic at its best.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed!! A page turner that had me rip through the entire thing in one day! I couldn’t wait to see what happens with Paige (aka Ruby) and Will!! This is a true love story and a reminder to find the person that you love (and who brings out the best in you!) and hold them tight!!

[Sandy Pride · Rating 5 out of 5]

I put off reading this book, but when I started, it only two me two days. I loved the characters and the magic, both of the story and of love. I am not usually a magic person, but this was fun. This would make a great movie.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful story by an author that keeps writing these heartwarming stories. Paige and Will meet and seem to become friends right away. Will their friendship grow into more or just stay as it is. I can’t wait